DirecTV Saves FX’s ‘Damages’ from Cancellation

FX’s ‘Damages‘ was all but left for dead, but the Glenn Close drama was just renewed for a fourth and fifth season in a new deal with DirecTV.

The satellite television network has signed an agreement with Sony Pictures TV to take over the Emmy-winning legal drama to produce an order of 20 new episodes.

Under the new contract, said to be months in negotiation, these episodes will run over two consecutive seasons, in 2011 and 2012, exclusively on DirecTV. The network also has acquired the rights to air the first three seasons of the show.

The principal cast members, including lethal leading lady Glenn Close and her perpetually vexed protege Rose Byrne, are on board to return for the new episodes.

“‘Damages’ is simply one of the best shows on television, and we’re grateful to DIRECTV for the opportunity to produce more episodes of this groundbreaking show,” said Jamie Erlicht, president, programming and production, Sony Pictures Television, in a release.

This is the second time DirecTV has saved the day for a critically-praised but moderately-rated series. They previously scored points by taking over NBC’s beloved family-football drama ‘Friday Night Lights.’